Media: book
Who: Canadian economist and media theorist, Harold Innis
When: 1951
What: One of Innis' later works, this book describes values and ways of thinking supported by and inherent to different types of media. One of Marshall McLuhan's major influences.
Links: biography and theory breakdown

[edit] I wrote this post months ago, when I wasn't really concentrating on this blog. Beginning Sept 12/07, I'll be moving it in a different direction, but will still post to the media list.[/edit]

Media: blog
Who: TIG profile
When: member since June 12/06
What: I thought I'd post a brief note about the nature of this blog which is something of an anti-blog. This media list is not about my opinions or my life or anything to do with me. What I really don't want to do is press my opinion upon others. Having written that, I'm not going to pretend I don't have a bias; my media list will skew heavily towards criticisms of capitalism, globalization, development of "third world" nations etc. But please don't try to simplify my political stance from this blog. Just because I criticize something doesn't mean I am against it.

btw, I just lied. I do have one opinion I would like to impress upon readers. I was going to write something about being open minded and thinking for yourself. But let's be honest. Unless you have studied something in depth and from a myriad different viewpoints and disciplines, you DON'T have the ability to think for yourself. Even more important than "thinking for yourself" is learning when to say, "I can't form an intelligent opinion, I need to learn more." Politics, development, culture, ideology, these are things you should be learning about for the rest of your life! Push your belief system. Try to see from perspectives that make you upset, nervous and irritated. I'm not saying fluctuate your stance everyday or that truth is completely relative - I'm saying learn to empathize, try to think differently! p.s. Keep an open mind and maybe you'll make my job as TIG board moderator (and flame war douser) just a little bit easier ;)

Links: TIG dicussion boards, ventilate.ca

What: CD
Who: Godspeed You Black Emperor! (Canadian/Montreal band), Kranky (record label)
When: 1998
What: experimental instrumental music that manages to maintain a sense of nostalgia, warmth and even hope amidst aural chaos and bleakness. Although not direct, lyrics and artwork criticize the values of "modern life".
Lyrics: dead flag blues
Links: brainwashed, epitonic, wiki

What: film
Who: filmmaker Claire Denis
When: 1988
What: Not to be confused with the 2000 release starring Johnny Depp, Denis' semi-autobiographical film features a young French woman who returns to her birthplace, Cameroon, to connect with her past. What follows is a thoughtful, sensitive and painful exploration of colonial power relations and the development of a young girl's interstitial identity. A demanding film that richly rewards the highly observant.
Links: Senses of Cinema review/analysis, Kino Eye's Denis issue

Media: film
Who: Dutch filmmaker Marlene Gorris
When: 1982
What: A brave and fascinating film which begins with an impromptu murder of a male shopkeeper by a group of women, all strangers to each other. After their arrest, a female psychiatrist is enlisted to explain the behaviour of the women. As she learns more about each woman, she begins to understand not only their motives for the murder, but the very the nature of social priviledge and their intersections with gender and class. A Question of Silence is often classified as "feminist" in its attempts to reveal a network of social politics underlying seemingly apolitical lives.
Also recommended by the same director, "Antonia's Line"

Links: analysis by Linda Lopez McAlister, NOW Magazine article and interview